Trade offers Bulls chance to think big

Drafting Derrick Rose is a good, safe pick.

Nothing bad about it.

So you can be certain that's what Bulls GM John Paxson will do tonight.

But here are some possibilities to consider if Paxson wants to think big, and get bigger and better faster:

Trade the No. 1 pick to the Knicks for the No. 6 selection and monster low-post scorer Zach Randolph, and then draft the best point guard still available, hopefully D.J. Augustin.

Trade the No. 1 pick to the Clippers for the No. 7 selection and monster low-post scorer Elton Brand, and then draft the best point guard available.

Trade the No. 1 pick to the Bobcats for the No. 9 selection and low-post scorer Emeka Okafor, a future monster, and then draft the best point guard available.

Or, Paxson can do it the opposite way, trading the No. 1 pick to the Grizzlies for the No. 4 selection and point guard Mike Conley, and then draft the best big man available, maybe even Michael Beasley if he slips.

Either way, Paxson gets two legit starters and an inside/outside game instantly.

Look - to borrow from Lou Piniella - Rose is a fabulous player and there's little downside to taking him, but the Bulls have a chance to think big here.

Big, as in big man.

In the NBA, regardless of point guards being the flavor of the day, the team with the best big man almost always wins out.

As Kevin Garnett is likely to tell you, that's as old as the league itself.

Draft and deal

From e-mailer Sanjay H., my favorite GM not working in baseball today, bidding to become my second-favorite GM not working in basketball today (No. 1 is Mark from Atokad Park):

"Kirk Hinrich and another player to Portland for Raef LaFrentz and a first-round draft pick.

"The money freed up by expiring contracts (LaFrentz and Drew Gooden) after this season would put the Bulls in an ideal situation cap-wise to sign a top-tier, free-agent power forward (Elton Brand?).

"The Blazers acquired another first-round pick Wednesday, which gives them 13 and 27 in the first round, and three picks in the second.

"They're not going to keep them all.''

Ivan Boldirev-ing

From a hockey operations standpoint, the Blackhawks have a huge vacuum at the top of the food chain, which is why Brian Burke, a Stanley Cup winner from Anaheim, would be the perfect No. 3 in the organization behind Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough, but with total, presidential, unquestioned authority over hockey.

As it stands, the Hawks go through another important off-season of decision-making with doubt and inexperience, and much at stake.

Burke has a year left on his deal, but he's angry the Ducks wouldn't extend him or let him speak to Toronto, and now owner Henry Samueli is suspended indefinitely for lying to the SEC.

Traditionally, the Hawks are a year behind on every major move, but perhaps there's a tiny window of opportunity here to make something sensational happen.

The call

It was noted philosopher Al Swearengen who said, "Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh.''

That doesn't really apply here, but one need not have an excuse to quote verse from the Book of Deadwood.

Since there's liable to be a point here somewhere, I picked the Sox to make the playoffs and the Cubs to win their division by 10 games this year.

That now seems ridiculous.

No, I still think the Sox will get in, but the Cubs winning by 10 games now feels more like 15 or 20, and if you're a Cubs fan afraid of St. Louis or Milwaukee, you're only searching for reasons to worry, and that's a fruitless exercise this year.

The good cause

Andrea Thome and Jennifer Konerko host a fundraiser to benefit Children's Home + Aid of Illinois, a cause close to their hearts, tonight at Tiffany & Co. in Oak Brook.

"Keys for a Cause'' will run from 7-9 p.m., when registered guests can purchase a key for $100 that might open a lock to one of the vitrines containing jewelry and gifts, including a platinum and diamond pendant.

Helmet day

Talk all you want about global warming and high oil prices, but the real threat to our national security is red-winged blackbirds, which have been attacking Americans on golf courses, bike trails and running paths since Rudy Meoli was a child.

But have they ever been more ferocious than in the last four or five weeks?

Best headline

Sportspickle. com: "Slumping hitter not sure how he got stuck in a paper bag in the first place.''

Orange crush

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: "Cubs and White Sox have been going at it in a possible World Series preview, and Chicagoans couldn't be happier. Well, maybe if the Bears got rid of Rex Grossman."

And finally ...

In case you missed it, Daily Herald legend Bob Frisk celebrated 50 years of ink stains Wednesday, which is not just an amazing tale of survival in an industry that has seen more change than a retired Vegas slot machine during his many years.

It's really more about Bob's ability to remain the same person throughout the decades, one who puts family first, who if he calls you his friend you can believe it, and one who really cares about the subjects he covers and the people with whom he shares an office.

He's the one who hired me in 1984 following the NLCS when my strongest credential was having been a vendor at the ballparks, something I hope you won't hold against him as you pay tribute.

Thanks, B.F., for everything.

brozner@dailyherald.com